I'm relieved to hear this, and hats off to SF and to Lisa.
Though for some in our ranks, this can mean nothing but sorrow.
Where and how shall we work it out?
That we can have unity only when we have diversity is the nature of unity. Without diversity, all we would have is uniformity, and uniformity requires very little of us.
Our Lord recognizes this when he admonishes us to love "our enemies" - a pivotal reminder that only love can create unity, with the subtext - that uniformity is no big deal in the kingdom of God. Even tax collectors and such enjoy that.
So, how do we love "our enemies."
I put the phrase in quotes, because I think there's a slight chance of some tongue-in-cheek here - those whom we might otherwise label as "enemy" may turn out to be something quite different when and if we open our hearts to them in love.
Love discovers things that suspicion and fear will never see.
Love is more than tolerance, then. Love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).
It is our sinful instincts to huddle with like-minded. We all do it, and it's fun.
But at that point, as cozy as we might be, we're no different than the world and we can offer to the world nothing more than what the world already knows - the power of a gated community.
Our gift to the world, if, indeed, we have one, is more than our theology, but our way of life. Yes, our theology counts, but I think our way of life counts just as much, because faith comes by hearing, but it's our good works that enable someone to give glory to God (Matthew 5:16).
We've done rather well, I suppose, in the theology department, and putting all of our apples in that basket, we've forgotten the power of ethical witness, and, if anything, we've engaged in all the dirty back-biting and squabbling found in the local PTA or some condominium association (my apologies to both).
What does love mean?
And what does it mean for me to love my GLBT friends and to support their efforts for ordination?
And what does it mean for me to love a colleague who opposes that ordination with the same passion I muster for it's promotion?
Big questions ...
Any answers out there?
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